Romans

Romans, book of the New Testament. The longest of St Paul's Epistles, it is the only Pauline letter addressed to a Church that the apostle had not personally founded. It was written by Paul in ad 58, probably in the ancient Greek city of Corinth. Its destination was Rome, where a Church was well established.

Paul had finished his missionary work in Asia Minor and was about to depart for Jerusalem with contributions he had collected for needy Christians there. Apparently, he was anxious to bring the gospel to Spain and was hoping to visit Rome on the way. The Epistle was to serve as an introduction, both for himself and for his teaching. Most likely he desired the support of the Roman Church for his mission in Spain, but seemed to feel that his missionary labours and understanding of the gospel were viewed with suspicion by a number of Roman Christians.

Paul begins his letter with the customary salutation and thanksgiving (1:1-7; 1:8-15). Next, he takes up the main theme of the Epistle (1:16-8:39): “the gospel ... the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith” (1:16). He explains that the world needs salvation, for guilt and sin are universal and even the knowledge of and obedience to the Law cannot save humankind (1:18-3:20). However, people “justified by faith” (5:1) explains Paul, have a new relationship with God, a life under God's grace, delivered from sin, beyond the power of the Law, and assured of the love of God and of final salvation (5:1-8:39).

In Chapters 9-11, Paul considers God's relationship to Israel. The Jews, who do not believe in Christ, seem to have been rejected by God. Paul, however, holds that God's promise was not given to “the children of the flesh”, but was intended for “the children of the promise” (9:8). Gentiles, as well as Jews, share in the fulfillment of God's promise. Moreover, the Jews, he continues, have failed God, “for being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness” (10:3). Nevertheless, their failure, which has brought salvation to the Gentiles, does not doom them utterly: the Jews too are to be saved in the end, because God will “have mercy upon all” (11:32). Meanwhile, Christians must not through pride presume superiority, lest God cut them off also, for his judgements are “unsearchable ... and how inscrutable his ways” (11:33).

In the last main section of the Epistle, Paul delivers moral exhortations and instruction. The readers should dedicate themselves—be a “living sacrifice” (12:1)—to God; they should love their enemies (12:14-21); render due obedience to civil authority (13:1-7); owe nothing to others save love, “for he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law” (13:8); remember that God is the ultimate judge of all (14:1-12), and therefore be tolerant and forbearing of those who are “weak in the faith” (14:1); and be self-denying, after the example of Jesus, for the good of all (14:13-15:13).

Paul concludes Romans with a brief defence of his missionary activities, further remarks about his intention to visit Jerusalem and Rome, personal greetings, and a doxology (15:14-16:27). Many scholars have suggested that nearly all of Chapter 16, which lists numerous friends of Paul (in a city he had never visited), and includes in modern texts verses that are appended to Chapter 15 in several ancient manuscripts, may have originally formed a separate Pauline letter. Other scholars, however, continue to regard the present Chapter 16 as part of the original text of the Book of Romans.

Romans is Paul's fullest, most profound, and most systematic exposition of his religious thought and therefore one of the most important books of the New Testament. It has played a key role in every major period of Christian renewal and revival.